2026 Rangers Report Cards: Tye Kartye

This article is part of an ongoing series of Rangers Report Cards, grading the performance of each member of the 2025-26 New York Rangers. To view more report cards in this series, go here.

Expectations

After being claimed off waivers from the Seattle Kraken on Feb. 27, the hope was that Tye Kartye would come in, play a bottom-six role, and add youth to the roster. Veteran players were heading out the door as the trade deadline loomed. And, with that, they were going to need some help replacing defensive depth. Kartye could deliver that and also got time on the Kraken's penalty kill unit, with anticipation he would do the same for the Rangers.

While with Seattle, Kartye had a -0.227 expected goals allowed per 60, the second lowest of any Kraken forward when shorthanded via Evolving Hockey. He also finished with the sixth most short-handed time on ice among forwards, even though he didn't play the entire season with the Kraken. At the very least, the Rangers felt they were bringing in a good defensive forward.

On the offensive side of the game, Kartye struggled to produce throughout his career in Seattle. Before this season, he never registered a season with more than 20 points in his two years in Seattle despite playing more than 60 games in both. When general manager Chris Drury made the claim, he was not anticipating Kartye to get pucks in the back of the net.

Waiver claims for any team or general manager are hit or miss, but it looks like Drury found himself a hit in Kartye.

Performance

Seattle Kraken: 40 GP | 3 G | 5 A | 8 P | -6 |29 SOG | 21 PIM

New York Rangers: 24 GP | 5 G | 9 A | 14 P|0 | 27 SOG | 17 PIM

Compared to the Rangers' other main waiver claim, Vincent Iorio, Kartye played significantly more despite being claimed about a month later. He made his Rangers debut in their second game back from the Olympic break and did not come out of the lineup once—and for good reason. When Kartye came over to New York, he took his game to a new level and contributed heavily to the Rangers' end-of-season improved play.

What stands out is Kartye's offensive play, averaging .058 points per game with the Blueshirts. During a five-game point streak in March, Kartye recorded two goals and five assists. He also finished the year with a two goal and one assist performance in the Rangers' final game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. His ability to score as a middle-six forward was an unexpected surprise for the Rangers.

Due to underlying statistics such as a 0.56 individual expected goals per 60, the lowest among forwards on the team, and a -.058 xGF/60 show this is probably an unsustainable pace. Regardless, his scoring for the Rangers was a nice touch to go along with his good defense. Kartye was solid at both even strength and the penalty kill, where he spent just under 38 minutes for the Rangers this season.

When the Rangers were short-handed, Kartye recorded a 0.28 xGA/60, and while not as good as with the Kraken, it was still a solid number. If Kartye can keep that level of play or even improve it, he can continue to be a cheap young player on the team's penalty kill.

Kartye also seemed to find his grove towards the end of the season when playing on a line with J.T. Miller and Conor Sheary. Among line combinations with a minimum of 60 minutes, they had 3.42 GF/60, the third highest of any combination. While the three of them likely will not be playing on the same line next season, it did help bring out some of the best offense of Kartye's career.

Grades

Author Grade: B+

Banter Consensus: A-

Final Evaluation

In his 24 games with the Rangers, Kartye did enough to solidify him a position in the lineup once camp rolls around. While past waiver wire claims by Drury have failed, Kartye could become one of his best moves this year. I think it is a safe assumption to assume he starts the season on the third line with Noah Laba. The two spent time together on the third line and killed some penalties together.

I really liked what he did for the Rangers, and he was one of many young players who wanted to prove he belonged. He was constantly moving while on the ice and didn't dog it. The reason I didn't give Kartye an A was the underlying statistics not backing the on-ice result. He was the good defensive player and penalty killer I hoped he would be and excelled offensively.

I don't expect this offensive production to keep up, but I think his penalty kill ability will. While a lot of changes need to be made to the roster, Kartye as a bottom-six player is someone who can stick around and help Drury attempt to pull off his retool.